“They asked me quite a few times, but I could never work it out with my schedule,” the lauded actress/comedian/writer said.

But as she accepted the prize on stage, she wryly suggested that there were others ahead of her in line.

“It was a long time in coming, but I understand," Burnett joked of her award. "There are so many people funnier than I am - especially here in Washington.”

There were other funny folks at the gala on Sunday, including Tina Fey, who received the Mark Twain prize in 2010.

“I fell in love with sketch comedy watching your show, and you proved sketch comedy is a good place for women,” the former "Saturday Night Live" star told Burnett. "I love you in a way that is just shy of creepy."

Burnett fans disappointed they weren't in the house on Sunday night should check their local listings: The ceremony is expected to air on PBS stations November 24.

soundoff(16 Responses)

Carol had dysfunctional parents and her grandmother was an alcoholic .. her marriage was dysfunctional.. comedy wss the only way she could cope. She is one of the funniest women in history and deserves this award. I love you carol and my friends and family will never forget your show.

I wish she was still doing comedy, my favorite ones were of her with Tim Conway. He was so funny, remember watching him on Micales navy. Love watching all her shows, is she going to coming back to t.v. and do comedy?

I can remember the shows so well. At the same time Red Skelton was on of my favorite shows also. How I miss good comedy. Now I watch DVD's or VHS for entertainment. Television just has to much fighting in it, and people wonder why we have problems with our young people.